How can Ecological Footprinting contribute to Strategic Environmental Assessment and Planning?
The Local Authority Area Ecological Footprints can be used as an indicator and source of evidence for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of all relevant plans and strategies. It can directly help with the consideration of alternatives and can provide an appropriate environmental baseline.
It can also be used to see the effect that the policies proposed within Local Development Plans would have on the Ecological Footprint and can provide baseline information for Sustainability Appraisals.
It can also prove useful in supporting sustainable design policies and encouraging better design through planning.